Silicon Valley firm opening outpost at Albany Nanotech

The Fremont, Calif.-based Group4 Labs Inc., which builds semiconductor materials for radar systems, tablet computers, smart phones, and cellular transmission towers, among other uses, will open a manufacturing facility at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at the University at Albany, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday.

The facility will create 10 jobs initially, with as many as 50 by 2015, Cuomo said. Group4 Labs previously announced a facility in Syracuse that will employ up to 94 people by 2015.

The company will use CSNE’s clean room, installing its own equipment. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will invest $1.5 million in the venture, and the deal is expected to attract another $4 million in private funding.

“As I’ve said repeatedly, bringing business to our state and creating jobs is essential to getting New York back on the right path,” Cuomo said. “As part of our state’s recovery, we must maximize New York’s reputation in innovative nanotechnology and we look forward to working with Group4 Labs to bring good jobs to the Albany and Syracuse areas.”

“We like New York because of the talent that is available, and the incubation resources at CSNE, and because of the fact that it is close to our customers,” said Felix Ejeckam, CEO and co-founder of Group4.
In Syracuse, the company will provide components to Lockheed Martin for use in radar equipment.